Morning News Briefs: Wednesday, February 1st, 2017

Burr Advocates For Ed. Secretary Nominee DeVos

North Carolina Senator Richard Burr has given his full support to President Donald Trump's nominee for Education Secretary Betsy DeVos.

The nomination of DeVos has been controversial. Democrats asked for a second procedural after allegations were made that DeVos plagiarized some of her answers in her initial hearing.

Senator Burr made a passionate speech to fellow senators in support of DeVos, and said he will work with her to ensure that every child in America receives a world-class education.

The nomination of DeVos now moves on to the full Senate for confirmation.

Woman Seeking Asylum In US Has Deportation Hearing Delayed

A hearing has been delayed for a high school student fighting deportation to her native El Salvador and seeking asylum in the U.S.

The Charlotte Observer reports an attorney for Yosselin Herrera said her deportation case was postponed until Nov. 1. The preliminary hearing was held Tuesday in U.S. Immigration Court in Charlotte.

Attorney Evelyn Smallwood says the delay allows Herrera time to pursue a parallel asylum application at a federal administrative hearing in Virginia. Smallwood says there is no date set for the asylum hearing, but if Herrera is granted asylum, the deportation case will become moot.

Union County GOP Chief Removes Remarks On Women's March

The chairman of the Union County Republican Party says he's removed a Facebook post in which he referred to the Women's March in Washington as "the hag and ho' show."

Roger Stanton told The Charlotte Observer he wrote the post after an encounter with some Washington protesters.

Stanton told the newspaper he wishes he had expressed his opinion of the march differently.

Stanton was in Washington for President Trump's inauguration Jan. 20. He said he encountered protesters the next day.

North Carolina Democratic Party spokesman Mike Gwin called Stanton's comments part of a "disturbing trend."

Firefighters Say 3 Found Dead In Yadkinville Building Fire

Authorities in Yadkin County say three bodies were found in the aftermath of a structure fire in Yadkinville.

The Yadkinville Fire Department responded to the residence on Bowen Road on Tuesday, but were unable to locate the people inside.

Firefighters say the bodies were found after the fire was brought under control. The identities are being withheld.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Animal Rescue Volunteer Convicted Of Cruelty Charges

Authorities in Winston-Salem say a volunteer for a Forsyth County animal rescue group has pleaded guilty to multiple animal cruelty charges after 15 dead cats were found on her property last April.

The Winston-Salem Journal reports court records show 49-year-old Melissa Zimmerman pleaded guilty to 15 counts of felony animal cruelty and five misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty. Attorney Chris Beechler said Zimmerman moved out of her home because it had no running water. She moved into a new home, but lost one of her two jobs and couldn't care for the cats she left at the old home.

Zimmerman, who entered her pleas on Jan. 19, received three consecutive suspended sentences, was placed on 18 months of supervised probation and ordered to perform 100 hours of community service.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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